One of my favorite times in Celebrate Kids is worship.  I LOVVVVE when we have moments like we did yesterday when the kiddos are singing and shouting with all their might.  Especially when the lyrics are:  "Jump up and down! Hey!  Jump up and down! Hey!  I don't care what people say.  Jump up and down.  I'm gonna shout it out, I belive in Jesus!"  The video clip shows this portion of the song.  They have a good time worshiping our God!



Sunday's theme was "We learn about Jesus."  With that we talked about all the places we learn things:  from parents, friends, from books, games, the internet, tv, etc.  However, the most important thing we can ever learn is about Jesus.  We learned from Luke chapter 2 that even at the young age of 12 Jesus was teaching TEACHERS.  This is a moment when I wish my Bible had the video clip of religious leaders "being amazed at his understanding and his answers." (Luke 2:47) Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the Temple with these teachers after having lost track of him when they left the Passover Feast in Jerusalem to return to their home in Nazareth.  

And just like Mary and Joseph looked for Jesus...we too need to look for Jesus.  We find him in the Bible, when we pray, and when we talk to others about him.  One of our challenges this week is to go back to the book of Luke and read one or more stories about Jesus.  After all, the most important thing we learn is about Jesus, so get in God's word and look for him. Learn about him.  Parents, this is a great challenge for you and your kiddo to do together. Read together.  Ask questions.  Learn together.

Family Movie Night was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!  We had popcorn! candy! photos! Mary Poppins herself! pillows! pj's! prizes! party favors!  

Here's a peek at the fun...

Esther had to be brave.  She had to save her people, but it meant approaching the king.  But you don’t just approach the king...well, unless you want to die that is. You are invited by the king.  She didn’t have time to wait though.  For days she fasted and prayed seeking God and had many others doing the same for her.  She knew the danger she was possibly getting herself into, but when it came time, she moved forward with God’s help. (Esther chapters 3-5)

Our theme this week is we do brave things with God’s help.  It became clear that I was not just addressing children who need extra courage to take off training wheels or the extra push to jump off the high dive.  What smacked me in the face were the deeper fears so present there.  I was surprised by the “realities” I saw in the room.  I could see pain.  Hurt.  Uncertainty.  The loneliness of a child who doesn’t fit in.  Hurt from divorce.   Sadness from the death of a parent.  Fear of a child who is bullied at school.  That’s why I love what we teach: Bible stories that have an application today for real children with real fears.  

Being brave means taking a step forward even when you’re afraid to.  Talk to your kids, pray for your kids, teach your kids about God’s power.  Share with them how YOU have to rely on God’s help to do brave things.  Empower them with God’s word and His power to help them be brave with what they are dealing with.  

 

If you have not read Luke 7:36-50, the story of Jesus annointed by a sinful woman, please pause right now and go read it.  Hey, even if you have read it before, go ahead and read it again and refresh your mind.

Honestly, I wish I could have video footage of moments such as the one in Luke.  What was that like?  What were the faces like on the people in the room?  How loud was Simon's gasp when the woman approached Jesus?  And was Jesus shaking his head thinking to himself, "People!  You just don't get it, do you?!?"  I sit here trying to take inventory of my OWN self...would I have had the guts to approach Jesus with no fear because my gratitude for him outweighed all my worries of what others would think of me?   What did Simon think when Jesus told him of the things he DIDN'T do for him...did Simon get it?  The kicker for me is the very last verse, and it brings tears to my eyes: "Your faith as saved you; go in peace."  Do you long to hear those words spoken to you by your savior?  I don't know if Simon was changed that day, but I DO KNOW the woman was!!!  

The kiddos' theme this week was when we serve others, we serve Jesus.  It's funny because one of the things we did was wash hands.  They partnered up and each child got a wet wipe and each took turns "washing" their partner's hands.  It was funny because some didn't care one bit to do it, and then you saw some of the awkward looks and giggles on others.  I think deep down they were all just glad I didn't have them wash feet!  Whew! ;)  Then today on Facebook someone posted:  "If there is inconsistency between your behavior and your teaching...a child will always copy your behavior."  Yep.  You got that right.  So parents, this lesson isn't just for the kiddos...it's for us too!  Let's not just TALK about serving, let's not just tell our kids they need to serve...let's "tell" them by DOING it!!!

Their challenge this week was to serve someone by doing something for them that they usually don't do, something that wasn't about them at all.  I told them it couldn't be picking up their toys, cleaning their room, putting away their clothes, etc.  That was all part of being a team at home, but instead to find a job that has nothing to benefit themselves.  Start thinkning of ways you will serve this week so that your child is not only learning the words, "be a servant," but they are also seeing your behavior of being a servant - let's have consistency between what we teach and what we do. :)

Grab a piece paper and tape and stick this to a bathroom mirror, the refrigerator door or somewhere it will be seen often: "The greatest among you must be a servant."  Matthew 23:11.

Ok, I'm done now so go find ways you and your family can SERVE this week!!  :)